Closure device



' May 28, 1940 I A R. GLIDDEN CLOSURE DEVICE Filed May 19, 1939 IN V ENTOR.

Patented May 28, 1940 fUNlTED' STATES" ATENT o FicE' 4 onosii mf fiivlca2 Claims.

This invention relates to closure devices for that class of receptacle,such as collapsible tubes, employed as containers for liquid or pastetoilet preparations, and objectively aims to provide an improved form ofsliding valve assuring easier operation than devices previously devisedfor this purpose, to provide a closure device of simple, inexpensive,and yet durable construction and one which most advantageously adaptsitself to production either as a part of or as a separate thread fittingfor the container, and to provide a device which is particularlycharacterized by self-closing capabilities more emcient than thosehereto-,' fore produced, the latter object being achieved by meanswhich, from a consideration of assembly as well as production, are ofsuch a facile nature as to eliminate the objections which have precludedcommercial use of previous closures functioning to thisend.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and inthe combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the drawing: I

.Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating a closure device according tothe present invention applied to a collapsible tube.

Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal vertical and transverse vertical sectionstaken on respective lines 2-2' and 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

'Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 representing a deviceaccording to the present invention in which the valve-seat for thesliding closure is formed directly on the tube.

The numeral 5 in the drawing designates a suitable container, in thisinstance a collapsible tube, for which my closure device is adapted, thetube being of that character universally employed as a receptacle forshaving and skin-- creams, tooth pastes, greases, paints, and othermaterials of like or similar physical characteristics permittingextrusion through an outlet duct 6 by the act of pressing thecollapsible body I of the tube. The duct is disposed axially in relationto a relatively rigid discharge neck, and according to the presentinvention this neck may be externally threaded and a fitting 8 embodyingfeatures peculiar to the present invention detachably applied thereto orthis fitting may have its counterpart formed as a head 8' integral withthe tube.

In producing these parts 8 or 8', as the case may be, I form the samewith a substantially flat upper surface in which is a valve-way for agatea through-channel projected diametrically of the head and,considered transversely, having a dovetail shape providing side wallswhich overhang the floor and act 'as retaining flanges for the valve..Said valve is of a length exceeding that of the valve-way and at itsapproximate mid-length is provided with an orifice 10 adapted bylongitudinal movement of the valve-to be brought into register with theoutlet from the duct 6, this longitudinal movement being opposed by arubber ring l'l seating in complementary recesses provided in the rearend 9' of the valve and in the distal wall of the head. Below the recessin the valve is a depending lug l2 the oflice of which is to limit thering-influenced closing movement of the valve. 7 s

It is to be noted that the rubber ring occupies a plane diagonal to thepath of travel of the valve and with the anchored portion thereofdisposed below the flexing part, the purpose thereof being to influencethe valve downwardly and thereby hold its under-surface in port-sealingcontact with the floor of the valve-way.

The invention is believed readily understood from the foregoingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, variouschanges in form, proportions, and application being clearly within thespirit of the disclosure.

What I claim, is:

1. A closure device for a receptacle comprising, in combination, areceptacle head formed with a flattened upper surface-and having a duct'leading thereto for the discharge of the receptacle contents, a channelin said head transecting the duct and projected the width of the head, asliding gate valve of a length exceeding that of the channel seating inthe latter and having an aperture movable into and out of registeringrelation to the outletend of the duct by the act of moving the valvelongitudinally in thechannel, a recess formed in the side wall of thehead below one end of the channel, a recess complementary thereto andformed in the oppositely disposed end wall of the valve above the planeof the valves channel-seating under-surface, and a ring of elasticrubber seating in the recesses to occupy a plane diagonal to andtraversing the plane of the channel and operating by contraction toinfluence the valveinto closed position.

2. A closure device for a receptacle comprising; in combinatiom'areceptacle head having a duct leading to its upper surface for thedischarge of the receptacle contents, a valve-way channeled in the headin transecting relation to the outlet type valve 9, the valve-way beingin the nature ofend of the duct, a sliding gate valve seating in u thevalve-way and movable longitudinally thereof into and from closingrelation to the outlet from said duct, means by which thumb pressure isapplied to the valve for moving the same into open position, and a ringof elastlc rubber encircling the head and engaging said valve foryieldlngly opposing said opening movement of the valve, said ring beingcharacterized inthat the same occupiesa plane diagonal to and traversings the plane of the valve-way such-that by its contractive influencepressure is applied to the valve to cause the valve to bear against itsseat as wen as move longitudinally of the valve-way into c1osingrelation to said outlet from the duct.

ARTHUR R. GLIDDEN.

